Strip feeding device



1955 J. 'r. DAVIDSON ET AL 2,700,334

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS JOHN 7: V/DSO/V JOHN A. CHM/0T I MEMW 1955 J. T. DAVIDSON ET Al. 2,

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Jam T. DA was JOHN A, SCHM/ Jan. 25, 1955 Filed Dec. 1, 1948 Fig. 5

J- T. DAVIDSON ET AL STRIP FEEDING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS JOHN 7T DAV/DSON JOHN A. SCHM/DT 1955 J. 1'. DAVIDSON ET AL 0 ,3

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVENTO RS JOHN 7: DAVIDSON JOHN A, SCHMIDT Jan. 25, 1955 J. T, DAVIDSON ET AL 2,700,334

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS J0/M/ 7.' DAVIDSON JOHN A. SCHMIDT Jan. 25, 1955 T vi s ETAL 2,700,334

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS JD/IN 7. DAV/DSQN JOHN A. SCHMIDT STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS Jam 1.- mwoso/v Fl 1 JOHN A. SCHMIDT J BY 4 A ORNEY United States Patent STRIP FEEDING DEVICE John T. Davidson and John A. Schmidt, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 1, 1948, Serial No. 62,798

13 Claims. (Cl. 101-47) The present invention relates to strip feeding devices, and more particularly to a feeding device for use with addressograph machines and similar equipment wherein a strip of series connected detachable record forms are fed past an imprinting position instep by step movements of varying extent.

The present equipment is designed primarily for use in connection with multiple listings upon a single record form, the strip being advanced a single line space for each impression. Upon completion of the record upon the particular form, the strip is then advanced'to the next form upon which the heading is imprinted, then advanced to the record portion of the form for the multiple impressions of the record data thereon. It is quite common for succeeding form lengths to have a different number of impressions thereon, consequently the distance traveled by the strip from the last record imprint to the heading on the succeeding form varies from form to form. Heretofore such equipment involved the use of a fixed feed, necessitating movement of the strip through a predetermined number of step by step movements before moving to the following heading regardless of the number of imprints actually made upon the preceding record portion of the strip. The present feeding device is of a universal character, providing for line by line advancement of the record strip only during actual imprinting operations thereon, and a complete advance from the last record imprint to the following heading in one operation regardless of the distance of such single feeding operation.

Thus, the object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of strip feeding devices, whereby they may not only be more efiicient and satisfactory in use, automatic in operation, uniform and accurate in action, but having relatively few parts and be likely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip feeding device which is substantially universal in nature, being adaptable to a wide variety of feeding operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip feeding device which automatically advances the strip different distances during successive operations, depending upon the type of record indicia imprinted thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip feeding device which may be automatically controlled as to the step by step movement thereof by the imprinting mechanism to which it is attached.

A further object of the invention is to provide an independently controlled motive means for the strip feeding device energized in timed relation with the imprinting operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding device in which the means for controlling the step by step line advancement of the feeding device may be easily changed to accommodate line spacing of different extent.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip feeding device which may be adjusted to advance a record .strip different distances without the necessity of changing gear ratios therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip feeding device having the advantageous structural features and inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein set forth, or their equivalents. With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the

invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent con- 8 .sists of the features of construction, the parts and combi- 2,700,334 Patented Jan. 25, 1955 ice Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an imprinting machine with the present feeding device attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the feeding device shown in Fig. l, with the cover removed.

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, showing a por- (tiion of the control and actuating means for the feeding evlce.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the lever arrangement of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the actuating means showing a mechanically controlled unit instead of an electrically controlled unit.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the unit shown in Fig. 5.

d Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the index or programming ISC.

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary views showing the detent pawls in alternate positions.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the power input unit seen at the top of Fig. 5.

Figs. 11 and 12 are enlarged fragmentary views showing the installation of the electrical control unit on the imprinting machine.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the imprinting machine showing the relationship of a part of the electrical control equipment for the strip feeding device.

Fig. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrically controlled unit.

Fig. 15 is a detail view of the control linkage of the unit shown in Fig. 2.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a conventional imprinting machine to which a strip feeding device 1 embodying the present invention is attached. The continuous record strip or assembly of superposed record strips 2 are supported upon a shelf 3, from which they are drawn about guide member 4 past imprinting position 5 by the strip feeding device. The imprinted record strips are then collected in receiving tray 6 from which they may be removed as desired.

The present unit is designed primarily for the feeding of marginally punched record strips by what is now commonly known as pin wheels. The pin wheels having progressive feeding engagement in the marginally punched stationary are supported upon shaft 7 for rotary motion therewith. Thus, upon rotation of the pin wheel shaft the strips of series connected record forms are progressively advanced past imprinting position a distance proportional to the amount of rotation of the shaft 7.

Shaft 7 is driven through a series of gears 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 (Figs. 2 and 6), gear 12 being the primary source of power. Gear 11 is a compound gear mounted upon oscillatory plate 13 pivoted upon stud 14 upon which gear 10 is mounted. Also carried by plate 13 is another gear 15, which may be brought into engagement with gear 12 simultaneously with the removal of gear 11 therefrom upon movement of the plate 13. This adjustment provides either a 1:1 or a 2:1 ratio, and may be easily changed by the handle 16 which projects through the enclosing wall surrounding the drive assembly.

Drive gear 12 also drives the index or program plate 17 through gear 18 (Fig. 2) or compound gear 19 (Fig. 6). Gears 18-19 are mounted upon a carrier 20 pivoted upon the drive shaft for gear 12. Movement of the carrier 20 permits the use of different index plates 17 and diiferent index plate gears 21 secured thereto. Such changes in gear ratios are not necessarily made by the customer, but are provided to permit diifering ratios so that the same unit may be adjusted to suit the particular. demands of the customer. Once assembled to perform the desired feeding operation, the gear ratios normally remain unchanged during use by the customer.

Referring to Fig. 13, there is shown therein an automatic selector mechanism which is a conventional part ofaddr'essing'rnachines of th'e'type to which the instant feeding mechanism is applied. Such selector mechanism automatically selects certain printing plates to be printed, while passing other plates through the machine without an imprinting operation. The selector mechanism is controlled by the movable metal tabs 26 which are carried in the plate frames. The selector head 27 is moved up and down at timed intervals in relation to and as a part of the operation of the imprinting machine, the extent of downward movement thereof being controlled by engagement of a selector pin 28 with a projecting tab 26. Through appropriate mechanism including the arm 29, a selector slug 30 in the drum 31 is moved an amount comparable to the downward movement of the'selector head. The slugs 30 upon rotation of the drum 31 in timed relation with the machine operation engage different fingers 32, 33 and 34 to control actuation of the imprinting machine, to advance the imprinting plates, to set the imprinting mechanisnr in motion, and other like automatic operations of the imprinting machine.

The present strip feeding mechanism is actuated during periods when the imprinting mechanism is at rest, and occurs substantially coincident with the plate feeding cycle of the imprinting machine. The strip feeding mechanism is intermittently energized, the power therefor being derived from a rotating part of the addressing machine which is intermittently energized during the plate feeding cycle of the machine in timed relation with the imprinting operation thereof.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown therein a coupling 35 which interconnects the power source in the addressing machine with the strip feeding attachment comprisingthe subject matter of the instant application. The coupling is intermittently energized through successive operating cycles of one revolution by the addressmg machine. Such intermittent operation is so rapid, however, that it is almost the equivalent of a continuously rotating member. To assist in defining a single complete revolution of the coupling a detent plate cam 36 is secured to the coupling, with which a spring urged detent arm 37 cooperates through engagement of the roller 38 within the peripheral notch 39 of the plate cam 36. (See Fig. 10.) Upon rotation of the plate 36 the detent roller is automatically forced out of engagement with the notch and is reengaged therewith upon completion of a single rotation. This detent is just sufiicient to clearly define a single revolution operation and prevent backlash or overthrow of the mechanism as a result of the rapidity of operation.

The coupling 35 and detent plate 36 are mounted upon shaft 40 (Fig. 5) supported for rotation in side plate 41. On the opposite end of shaft 40 is gear 42 which through gear 43, shaft 44, gears 45-46 and shaft 47 transmits the driving influence of the coupling 35 to the friction clutch 49. The output shaft 50 of the clutch 49 is supported in side plate 51 on the opposite side of which plate the shaft 50 carries the gear 12, thereby providing power to the gear trains shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

While coupling 35 and the associated gearing up to the friction clutch 49 are continuously driven during the. intermittent rotation of the addressing machine power shaft through single rotation cycles, the remaining gearing shown in Figs. 2 and 6 through which the feed shaft 7 is actuated is energized only during a portion of the single rotation of the coupling 35. Motion of the feed shaft 7 is controlled by the index or programming plate 17 which is released for operation in timed relation with actuation of the remaining parts of the mechanism.

Adjustably secured to the outer face of gear 42 by studs 52 is a timing cam 53 which directly controls operation of the indexing plate 17. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the timing cam 53 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and as the projecting lobe 54 thereon passes the lever 55, the lever is moved in a clockwise direction until the lobe travels completely therepast (Fig. 9), at which time the lever 55 returns to its initial position shown in Fig. 8 under influence of retracting spring 56 (Fig. 5). Lever 55 is fixedly secured to a hub 57 pivotally supported upon a stub shaft secured in side plate 51. Upon the other end of the hub 57 is secured a rock lever 58 through which the retractile influence of spring 56 is exerted upon lever 55. Also secured to lever 58 is a link 59 through which the rocking or oscillatory motion of the lever 55 is transmitted to throwout lever 60'fixedly secured to an 'oscillatoryhub 61 supported in side plate 51. On the outerend of the hub 61 is a spacing pawl arm 62 which rides upon the periphery of the index or programming plate 17 and is engageable in the notches therein to restrain rotation of the plate.

Notches 63 in the periphery of plate 17 are spaced in accordance with the amount of paper feed desired during each operation of the pin wheel shaft 7. Upon each rotation of the timing cam 53 the pawl arm 62 is momentarily withdrawn from the plate 17, permitting the plate to under influence of the gear train interconnecting plate gear 21 with driving gear 12. At the moment that the pawl arm 62 is withdrawn from the periphery of the plate 17 the gear 12 is fully energized through the gear train interconnecting the coupling 35 and the friction clutch 49. Gear 12, however, is locked against rotation by engagement of the pawl arm 62 with the plate 17, the motion being transmitted from the coupling to'the clutch 49 being dissipated through slippage of the clutch.

Upon removal of the pawl. arm 62 from the periphery of the plate 17, the plate immediately begins to rotate and the arm 62 is immediately returned into engagement with the periphery of the plate against which it rides until engaging the next succeeding notch therein. At that time the plate 17 is arrested and held in arrested position until the next operating cycle of the addressing machine signaled by the initiation of the next revolution of the coupling 35. During movement of the plate 17 the record strips 2 are advanced to the next imprinting position ready to receive the imprint of the next address" ograph plate which has been advanced into imprinting position.

The notches which are relatively close together about the periphery of the plate 17 represent successive line spaces upon a single form, while the increased distance between two of the notches represents the heading skip which brings the next succeeding form into position to receive the first imprint thereon. The notches may be arranged about the periphery of the plate 17 either in a single series or in multiples. A single series of notches indicates that the plate 17 makes one complete revolution for each form length to be advanced, while multlples thereof may be used if the form is of relatively short length and two form lengths advanced for each complete revolution of the plate 17.

To adjust the machine for different feeding arrangements. either as to individual line spacing, heading skips, or for the feeding of different length forms, it is only necessary to change the plate 17. The foregoing description covers the fundamental feeding unit which may be very satisfactorily used without the addition of any other controls. There is shown, however, in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, ll, 12, 13 and 14 a further adaptation of the fundamental feeding unit in which movement of the pawl arm 62 is electrically controlled rather than mechanically controlled as heretofore described. The addition of electrically actuated compensating means as shown in these figures of the drawing has the additional advantage in that it permits continuous movement of the record strip through distances of varying extents as determined by the selector and control mechanism of the addressing machine. Such continuous feeding of the record strip as compared with the intermittent advancement of the strip through successive steps of predetermined distance by the fundamental feeding unit is of distinct advantage in certain types of information recording.

The fundamental feeding unit heretofore described provides for the imprinting of any number of plates upon the record strip and the automatic advancement of the strip to the next imprinting position whether it be within the confines of the same form length or the initial imprinting position on the next succeeding form. When, however, the entire form does not receive imprinted indicia, the strip advances one imprinting position at a time as determined by the notches in the plate 17 until the unit reached home position, i. e., until the notch indicating the first imprint after the heading skip of the next succeeding form was reached. Such operation represented lost motion and considerable waste of time in instances where the same number of imprints were not to be made .upon each succeeding'form since the imprinting portion of the addressing machine was idle from the time the last imprint was made on one form until the record strip reached its starting position on the next succeeding form. The electrical compensating mechanism now to be described may therefore be advantageously added to the fundamental feeding unit as a means for automatically controlling the advancement of the record strip in relation to the automatic operation of the addressing machine as it selects certain plates for printing and skips others. In this way the record strip is advanced one line space if the indicia on the next plate is to be imprinted upon the same form, or it automatically advances the strip to the next form if the succeeding plate carries indicia to be imprinted on a succeeding form.

The automatic compensating or control means is electrically operated by three normally open switches 65-6667 (Fig. 14). Switch 65 is located within the addressing machine in proximate relation with the selector drum 31. A bracket 68 upon which the switch 65 is mounted also supports an oscillatory lever 69, one end of which is engageable with the switch actuating lever 70. The opposite end of the lever 69a is located in predetermined relation with the selector drum 31 so that the slug 30 when appropriately positioned on the drum will engage the lever 69a69, thereby rocking the lever about its pivot to close the switch 65. Positioning of the slug 30 is controlled by movement of the selector head 27 as heretofore described. As the plate 25 bearing the last legend to be imprinted upon a particular form passes beneath the selector head 27, a tab 26 on the plate is properly positioned to indicate such fact. Upon downward movement of the head, the fact that the plate then passing the selecting position is the last to be imprinted upon the form is transmitted to the selector drum 31 by the interconnecting linkage and the slug 30 appropriately positioned upon the drum to actuate the appropriate finger 3233 or 34 in accordance therewith and subsequently thereto the-switch actuating levers 6970.

Upon closing of switch 65 solenoids 7172 are energized, switch 65 completing the electrical circuit from the power supply to the solenoids. Actuation of solenoids 7172 results in clockwise rotation of levers 7374, lever 74 being interconnected with the solenoid armature by intermediate link 75. Lever 74 is pivotally mounted upon the bracket 76 secured to the top of the housing and is resiliently held in adjusted position by a spring biased detent member 77, the detent roller 78 of which is engageable in notches 79-80 of the lever 74. Engagement of the roller 78 in either of the notches 7980 holds the lever 74 in adjusted position until such time as the lever is positively moved to its opposite position of adjustment. r

Carried by lever 74 is a crank pin 81 (Fig. 2) which extends into overlapping relation with an actuating lever of switch 66. Thus, upon movement of the lever 74 in a clockwise direction (Figs. 2 and 3) under influence of solenoids 7172, switch 66 is closed and held in closed position by engagement of the roller detent 78 in notch 79 of the lever 74.

Simultaneously with the closure of switch 66, clockwise movement of lever 73 transmits through its mounting shaft 82 and associated lever 83 a downward power impulse through link 84 to lever 85 which is pivoted at 85 upon the outer side of plate 51.

In the use of the automatic compensation device an additional cam member 86 is mounted upon the back of index plate 17 and gear 21 (Fig. 7) to which earn an outstanding stud 87 is secured. The projection 86' upon the cam and the stud 87 in cooperation with lever 85 operate as a reset mechanism, the operation of which will be hereinafter described.

Closure of switch 66 by actuation of the solenoids 7172 does not immediately cause any further operation of the unit, since switch 66 is in series with switch 67, both of which must be closed in order to actuate solenoid 88 as shown by the wiring diagram, Fig. 14. Switch 67 is located on top of the addressing machine in position to be actuated by movement of the imprinting or presser head of the machine. (See Figs. 11 and 12). Extending upwardly from the top or table of the machine is an overhanging cantilever arm 89 upon which the presser or imprinting head 90 is supported for movement over the printing plate and interposed record strip. The imprinting head 90 has a reciprocating fore and aft movement and is controlled by the crank member 91 and associated guide rods and supports 92. Supported in depending relaas. i

tion from the arm 89 by means of a bracket 93 is switch 67, located intermediate the guide rods and supports 92. Adjustably secured to one of the supports 92 is a bracket 94 which extends into overlapping relation with actuating lever 95 of switch 67. Thus, upon each reciprocation of the imprinting head 90, switch 67 is closed, but is effective only when switch 66 is in closed position as a result of energization of solenoids 7172 upon closure of switch 65.

Imprinting of a particular plate 25 occurs on the fourth machine operation after the particular plate has passed the selecting position. Hence, the switch 65 is so located relative to the selector drum 31 that it is not actuated by the slug 30 until just prior to the time actual imprinting from the particular plate from which the selection was made occurs. Thus, upon return of the imprinting head 90, switch 66 is already closed and closure of the switch 67 comnletes the circuit for energization of solenoid 88.

Returning to Figs. 3 and 4, energization of solenoid 88 causes a counter-clockwise motion of bellcrank lever 96, one end of which is connected to the solenoid 88 through link 97. The opposite end of lever 96 is connected through link 98 with lever 99 fixedly secured to shaft 100 for unison rotation therewith. Also secured to shaft 100 are levers 101, 102 and detent lever 103. Energization of the solenoid 88, through the above described linkage, moves lever 102 in a counter-clockwise direction, which motion is transmitted through link 104 to lever 58. substituted for lever 58 in the fundamental feeding unit, the only difference being that lever 58 is somewhat longer and is provided with a bearing surface 105 for engagement within the bifurcated extremity of link 104. Movement of lever 102 in a counter-clockwise direction therefore actuates lever 58' in a clockwise direction so as to disengage pawl arm 62 from a notch in plate 17 as heretofore explained.

Simultaneously with the movement of lever 102, notch 103' of detent lever 103 is brought into engagement with the spring biased detent 106 pivotally mounted upon the side frame 51. Engagement of detent 106 in notch 103' holds levers 102 and 58 in operated position against the retractile tension of spring 56, thereby retaining the pawl arm 62 in spaced relation with the periphery of the plate 17 and permitting continued rotation of the plate. Upon counter-clockwise movement of lever 102, lever 101 with its roller follower 107 is brought into engagement with the periphery of the cam member 86 upon which it rides until raised therefrom by engagement of the projection 86' with the roller 107.

Reverse or clockwise movement of lever 101 upon engagement of roller 107 with cam projection 86' initiates a reset operation whereby the parts are returned to normal position. Lever 102 is also rotated in a clockwise direction simultaneously with movement of lever 101, thereby retracting link 104 to its initial position. In retraction of link 104 it has a sliding movement relative to lever 58, such sliding motion being permitted by the bifurcated extremity thereon, within the furcations of which the lever 58 is anchored. Paw] arm 62 is thereby unrestrained except by its engagement with the periphery of disc 17 and is free to return to its normal position under influence of spring 56 upon engagement with the next succeeding notch in disc 17. Lever 58 and pawl arm 62 are interconnected in the same manner as previously explained, this being part of the fundamental feeding unit.

Concurrently with the clockwise movement of lever 101, levers 99 and 96 and links 97 and 98 are moved in reverse direction, thereby returning the solenoid 88 to its normal unoperated position. This portion of the mechanism embodying the solenoid 88 and the control means for the pawl arm 62 has thereby been reset in its normal position ready for subsequent actuation in response to energization thereof upon initiation of a succeeding cycle.

Substantially coincident with the engagement of cam projection 86' with roller 107, stud 87 engages the downturned hook end on lever 85 and in passing therepast during continued rotation of cam 86 raises lever 85 to its original position. Such return or clockwise movement of lever 85 is transmitted through link 84 and lever 83 to shaft 82, the shaft being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

Counter-clockwise rotation of shaft 82 causes counter- When using the compensator, lever 58 is 7 clockwise rotation of lever 73, thereby resetting solenoids 71-72 in their initial unoperated position, making them ready fora subsequentenergiaation upon initiation of a subsequent operating cycle. Return of solenoids ll-72 and lever 73 to their initial position returns lever 74 to its initial position through movement of the intermediate link 75. Sufficient force is applied to lever 74 in its counter-clockwise movement to disengage the detent lever 77 therefrom against the yielding resistance of its biasing spring. Simultaneously with the return movement of lever 74 crank pin 81 is swung out of engagement with the actuating lever of switch 66, thereby returning switch 65 to its normally open position.

The entire mechanism is thereupon reset in its initial or uno'perated position ready for further energization upon initiation of a succeeding cycle of operation. The cycle is, completed by the pawl arm 62 engaging the next succeeding notch in the disc17 after release of the arm 62 by actuation of the leverltll under influence of cam 86-86'.

Starting with the machine in home position, i. e., with the pawl arm 62 engaged within the last notch in plate ,17 as set by the above described reset operation, the initial imprint is made upon a form length, and the fundamental feeding unit then controls. operation of the strip feeding mechanism for successive step by step advancement of the strip during the imprinting of record indicia upon that particular form. Upon reaching the last imprinting operatior'rupon the particular form, such fact is signaled to the feeding mechanism by the closing of switch 65, which thereupon enregizes the compensating I, means within the strip feeding unit, causing continued disengagement of the pawl arm 62 from the disc 17 until its release by engagement of the cam 86-86' with lever 101. During the time pawl arm 62 is held out of engagement with the disc, the strip is advanced the remaining form length and arrested with the succeeding form length in imprinting position. ready to receive the initial imprint from the next series of indicia bearing plates.

Operation of the strip feeding mechanisms is controlled by the inclicia bearing plates as they advance through the addressing machine. For example, if one form length is to have a series of four imprints made thereon plus the initial imprint, and the next succeeding form length is to have the initial imprint plus six individual imprints, the strip feeding device will advance the strip through a step by step movement for the four imprints on the first form, then advance the entire remaining portion of the form in one operation to bring the initial imprinting position of the succeeding form into impression receiving position and then proceed with a step by step advancement of the record strip through six succeeding steps corresponding with the six imprints to be made upon the second form length, the strip then being advanced in one continuous operation to the initial impression receiving position upon the succeeding or third set of forms. The instant strip feeding mechanism automatically advances the record strip through successive step by step move ments of varying extent, the extent of the feeding impulse and timing of which is automatically varied in accordance with the indicia being imprinted thereon.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. An imprinting machine of the type wherein a series of legend bearing plates are progressively advanced past imprinting position for selective imprinting therefrom upon a series of superposed series connected record form strips'in registry with'predetermined selected record receiving areas thereon, characterized by a strip feeding mechanism for advancing the superposed strips throughintermittent step by step movements of predetermined extent, comprising a strip feeding device en- 8 v gageable with the. superposed assembly of record strips and an actuating unit therefor, including an indexing plate, a series of spaced notches about the periphery thereof, motion transmitting mechanism interconnecting the indexing plate and a source of power within the imprinting machine, additional motion transmitting means interconnecting the indexing plate and the strip feeding device through a portion of the initial motion transmitting means, the construction and arrangement being such that upon arrest of the indexing plate the motion transmitting means between the indexing plate and the strip feeding device are arrested, and means for arresting the indexing plate in predetermined positions of rotary adjustment including a detent normally engageable within the peripheral notches of the indexing plate to arrest rotary motion thereof, actuating means for momentarily withdrawing the detent from a notch in the plate, permitting rotary movement of the plate until the detent engages within the next succeeding notch therein, additional actuating means for maintaining the detent in disengaged position during relatively long intervals permitting rotary motion of the indexing plate to a greater extent, and independent means for energizing both of said detent actuating means in response to predetermined operation of the imprinting machine, the construction and arrangement being such that the strip feeding device is operated through intermittent step by step movements of differing extent in timed relation with predetermined operations of the imprinting machine. I

2. An imprinting machine of the type wherein a series of legend bearing plates are progressively advanced past imprinting position for selective imprinting therefrom upon a series of superposed series connected record form strips inregistry with predetermined selected record receiving areas thereon, characterized by a strip feeding mechanism for advancing the superposed strips through intermittent step by step movements of predetermined extent, comprising a strip feeding device, actuating means therefor, an intermittently movable control disc controlling movement of the actuating means and strip feeding device, and means for controlling movement of the disc, including a detent normally engageable with the control disc to arrest movement thereof, means for withdrawing the detent from the disc in timed relation with operation of the imprinting machine and control means therefor energized in accordance with predetermined operation of the imprinting machine, the construction and arrangement being such that the strip feeding device is actuated through'intermittent step by step movements of different extent in response to movement of the detent into and out of engagement with the control disc.

3. A strip feeding mechanism wherein a strip is intermittently advanced through successive step by step movements of varying extent, a strip feeding device and control means therefor, including an indexing member, a series of spaced serrations therein, the spacing intermediate successive serrations representing the extent of strip feeding operation during each successive step, a movable member engageable within. the serrations to arrest strip feeding operation upon the completion of each successivestep by step movement, means for withdrawing the member from eachserration preparatory to engagement in a selected oneof a plurality of succeeding serration, and means for reengaging the member in a serration automatically selected from said plurality of serrations in accordance with operation of .a selective type imprinting machine to which the strip feeding mechanism is attached.

4. Control means for an intermittently actuated strip feeding mechanism for advancing a record strip through a series of step by step movements, including a control disc, a series of notches spaced thereabout in accordance with the desired extent of strip feed during each succeeding step of operation, stop means cooperating with said disc to arrest its motion in accordance with the spacing of said notches, and actuating means therefor controlled by operation of an imprinting machine to which the strip feeding mechanism is attached for bringing said stop means into cooperative-relation with a notch selected from one of a plurality thereof, to thereby produce an intermittent step by step movement of the strip feeding mechanism through feeding operations of differing extent determined in accordance with the particular notch selected from the plurality thereof with which the stop means cooperates.

5. In a strip feeding mechanism for advancing a series of continuous interconnected record forms through intermittent step by step movements of varying extent, a control mechanism therefor including an index plate, said plate being one of a plurality of interchangeable plates whereby the strip feeding mechanism may be adjusted for the feeding of record forms of varying proportions by the interchange of indexing plates, a series of relatively spaced notches about said plate, each notch representing a record receiving line on the particular form for which the plate is designed, latch means operated in timed relation with the operation of an imprinting machine to which the strip feeding mechanism is attached, engageable with said notches to arrest the strip feeding mechanism, and latch control means periodically withholding the latch from engagement with the plate thereby permitting the strip feeding mechanism to advance the record strip through a greater distance than a single line space, the construction and arrangement being such that forms of different proportions may be advanced through the imprinting machine and their advancement correlated with operation of the imprinting machine by interchange of only the index plate.

6. An intermittently operated strip feeding mechanism for an imprinting machine comprising a strip feeding device, actuating means therefor and a control mechanism including a rotary serrated member actuated by said actuating means and controlling operation of said strip feeding device, and means for arresting rotary motion of the member with one of a plurality of succeeding serrations thereon in predetermined position, said arresting means being controlled in timed relation with the operation of the imprinting machine to which the strip feeding mechanism is attached.

7. An intermittently operated strip feeding mechanism for an imprinting machine comprising a strip feeding device, actuating means therefor and a control system therefor including a movable control member operative in synchronism with the operation of the strip feeding device, and means for arresting movement of the control member with one of a plurality of areas thereon in predetermined position relative to the strip feeding mechanism, said arresting means being operated in timed relation with the operation of the imprinting machine to which the feeding mechanism is attached.

8. An imprinting machine of the kind wherein legend bearing plates are selected for imprinting therefrom upcn a record strip, including plate selector means, strip feeding means for advancing the record strip, including a program control member for effecting series movements of the strip, and means controlled by said selector means for changing the series movements of the strip irrespective of said control member.

9. An imprinting machine of the kind wherein legend bearing plates are selected for imprinting upon a record strip comprised of series connected record forms, including strip feeding means for advancing the record strip in step by step fashion through the successive imprinting areas of each successive form, and legend plate controlled means for causing said strip feeding means to skip feed the strip from an intermediate imprinting area of one form to the first imprinting area of the next succeeding form.

10. Control means for an intermittently operated strip feeding device operative through step by step movement, including a program control member effecting strip feeding movements according to a continuously repeated progressive series, said series being changeable by the substitution of one control member for another, and other means altering the series movements of the strip by altering the series progression of said control member.

11. An imprinting machine of the kind wherein legend bearing plates are selected for imprinting upon a record strip comprised of series connected record forms, including means for advancing the record strip according to a determined series progression through each successive record form, and legend plate controlled means for altering such series progression.

12. An imprinting machine of the kind wherein legend bearing plates are selected for imprinting upon a record strip comprised of series connected record forms, in cluding a strip feeding device, a control for such device in the form of a program control member effecting strip feeding in step by step fashion through each successive imprinting area through each successive form, and plate controlled means for initiating a differential operation of said control member to effect skip feeding With respect to a variable number of imprinting areas on successive forms.

13. An intermittently operated strip feeding mechanism for an imprinting machine comprising a strip feeding device, actuating means therefor including a program control member tending to operate in synchronism with operation of said imprinting machine, detent means for arresting and releasing said member in a regular series progression, a first control for said detent means, and another and overriding control for said detent means effective when operated to change the series progression of said control member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,188,875 Allard June 27, 1916 1,788,949 Grunwald Jan. 13, 1931 1,974,207 Ellinger Sept. 18, 1934 1,976,603 Dicke et al. Oct. 9, 1934 2,160,916 Sherman June 6, 1939 2,219,299 Dawson Oct. 29, 1940 2,298,492 Longefield Oct. 13, 1942 2,368,001 Cooper Jan. 23, 1945 2,384,807 Bickel Sept. 18, 1945 2,394,312 Krell Feb. 5, 1946 2,43 8,071 Page et al Mar. 16, 1948 2,444,187 Elliott June 29, 1948 2,451,467 Bickel Oct. 19, 1948 

